Apparatus and method for increased realism of training on exercise machines

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 149,869, filed Apr. 20, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to exercise machines, and more specifically to exercise machines that dissipate energy through mechanisms that allow customizable load profiles, and to exercise machines having an interconnection capability that enables synchronization of exercise activities.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Many athletic activities entail the coordination of motions by members of team. Herein, we term such activities “coordinated sport.” To be competitive in coordinated sport, team members must build skill, strength, and endurance and learn to coordinate their efforts. An example of coordinated effort is, in team rowing, the performance of oarstrokes of closely similar timing, duration, and power. Another ex...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new exercise system that combines load control with networked communications and model-based control of loads. This system allows multiple operators to exercise at different locations and in a realistic manner, without the need for them to assemble at a common time and place. The system can also be used to simulate the experience of being in a shared physical setting with other operators. The exercise system can be expanded to include traditional team rowing and competitive indoor rowing. The technical effects of this patent include the ability to exercise in a more realistic and efficient manner, as well as the ability to train and compete in new and exciting ways.

Problems solved by technology

Teams may be trained by field exercise, e.g., actually rowing a boat on water; however, due to seasonal, weather, and other limitations on field exercise, in practice athletes prepare for and supplement field exercise by working out extensively on trainers, i.e., stationary machines whose mechanics simulate one or more aspects of the sport in question.

Single-user trainers do not support training of team members in the coordinative aspects of a given sport, and when only single-user trainers are available, training in the coordinative aspects of the sport can only occur in field exercises.

However, in this example, dissipative loads (e.g., ergometers) are driven by each athlete: thus, the performance of one athlete does not dynamically affect the loads addressed by other athletes on the multi-user trainer.

This entails travel to the common location by all athletes and burdensome coordination of schedules.

If one or more team members are not able to attend at the common place and time, training for full-team coordination cannot occur.

(4) Realistic team trainers are significantly more costly on a per-athlete basis than individual trainers.

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